Fluid pressure operated circuit interrupter



1949- L. R. LUDWIG ET AL FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Filed April 21, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS' leonfiluawg Howard/ 7M 750x andfaymana lei/z e/ WITNESSES:

1949. L. R. LUDWIG ET AL 2,479,380

FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Aug. 16, 1949. L, R, LUDWIG ET AL 2,479,380

FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Filed April 21; 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug; 16, 1949- L. R. LUDWIG ET AL FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER 6 Shets-Sheet 5 Filed April 21; 1945 INVENTORS 800 fiudwg Howard M MYcox and Ea;\7

mono H Ze/fzel ATTO EY WITNESSES:

Patented Aug. 16, 1949 FLUID PRE ISSURE OPERATED CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Leon R. Ludwig and Howard M. Wilcox, Wilkinsburg, and Raymond B. Leitzel, Forest Hills, Pa.,

assignors to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 21, 1945, semi No. 589,582

- 15 Claims.

This-invention relates to circuit interrupters in general and more particularly-to operating mechanisms for circuit interrupters of the gas blast t e- V r a The contacts of a conventional compressed air circuit interrupter are normally operated by applying an electrical impulse to a solenoid, opening a small pilot valve and admitting air to the piston of a larger relay valve which on opening admits air to the contact operating cylinder in suflicient volume to open or close the contacts. This chain of successive operations in series is initiated by manual operation of a control switch or by action of a protective relay and meets the requirementsof normal switching service where circuit interruption in 0.130 second is regarded as satisfactory.

However, certain applications require very much faster isolation of an electrical fault for adequate protection of life, property and adjacent circuits as, for instance, in single phase A. C. railway service where 0.040 second'is regarded as the maximum time permissible for circuit interruption. Under these condition-s, the series of successive operations, dictated by the fact that .the heavy electrical current required to open a large valve directly against reservoir pressure is undesirable, consumes more time than is desirable.

It is an object of our invention to remedy the foregoing difilculties and to provide an improved compressed gas circuit interrupter which is of high'speed operation.

A more specific object is to provide a circuit interrupter of the gas blast type in which biasing means are provided to bias the valve controlling the flowof air from the reservoir-to the operating cylinder to the open position, and to provide retaining means for holding the valve closed.

Another object is to provide an improved gas blast circuit interrupter in which biasing means are employed to operate the valve controlling the flow of compressed gas to the operating cylinder, and to provide improved means for recharging the biasing means.

Another object is to provide an improved exhaust valve for an operating cylinder of a compressed gas circuit interrupter which will permitv high speed reopening and which will provide a cushion of air in the operating cylinder near the end of the opening operation to absorb the kinetic energy of the moving parts of the interrupter.

Further objects and advantages will readily become apparent upon a reading of the following 2 specification taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a three pole circuit interrupter embodying our invention and shown in the closed circuit position;

' Fig. 2 is a side elevational view partially in section of the circuit interrupter shown in Fig. 1, the section being taken substantially on the line II-II of Fig. 1, the contacts also being shown in the closed circuit position;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevational view partially in section of the operating mechanism shown in Fig. 2, the contacts also being shown in the closed circuit position;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the position of the several parts in the fully open circuit position of the interrupter;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged front elevational view of the improved operating mechanism of our invention;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view through the operating cylinder, taken substantially on line VI-VI of Fig. 5 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view through the exhaust valve taken on line VIIVII of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows,

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, the reference numeral l designates a suitable framework composed of channels or similar angle iron construction which supports atank or source 2 of compressed gas, the latter resting on supports 3. Extending upwardly and supported by the tank 2 are the three poles of the interrupter designated by the reference numerals 4, 5 and 6. Preferably, the poles are of identical construction, and the contact structures thereof are simultaneously operated by the rotation of an operating shaft 1. The shaft 1 is supported longitudinally of the tank 2 by brackets 8 which are preferably welded to the tank 2, and bearings 9, the latter being of the semicircular type, as shown more fully in Figs. 3 and 4.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 it will be noted that the operating shaft I has a crank portion III which is coupled by two links I l to the piston rod l2, the lower end of which has a piston I3 operatively secured thereto which is reciprocally movable within an operating cylinder l4. Supporting guides Ha are employed to position the cylinder [4 and to guide the motion of the piston rod 12 therein. An insulating operating rod [5 has its lower end secured to a metallic yoke-shaped member l6 which straddles the crank portion ill r V being pivotally secured thereto by a pin IT. The upper end of the insulating operating rod is secured to a metallic extension I8 having an aperture provided therethrough, through which passes a pin -19; The pin 1 9 alsoextendsthrough the legs Haif -c nduc n r ated. m m e 2 the upper unitary portion of which forms the movable contact 22. The movable contact 22 00;; a

operates with a stationary contact 23. Thebifurcated member 2| has the low-en extremitiesgof the legs pivotally supported at 24' to a bracket 25 formed of conducting material end of which forms a line tact 23.

wi i ht-hand.

at; 26.; .flzhe second line terminal 21 of: interrupteris;- electrically connected to lther: stationary con supper end by a compression spring 43 in a clockwise direction tgmove the valve to closed posiand-bias' it against its seat. The lower end of the operating arm 42 has a laterally extending Consequently, it will be apparent ironi the iore- 1 going description that in the closed circuit pos tion of the interrupter, as shown in Figs-l and 2, the electrical circuit through each pole of the intenrunteriincludes the line: terminal 2.1, stationary contact 23, movable contact: 22, jbiflllr cated memberi I, bracket ,25, to line terminal. 26. Separationci the movablecontact 22' from the stationary ycqntagti 2301s BfifiQt d;IbYJQtEkti HIOf' thebiiurcatedmember 2-1, the rotation being caused by coun erclockwise rotation of the shaft 1; and-crank portions 10.-

V Uponythe drawing of. the are established upon the separation of the gmoyiaihle con act from the-stationary contactjii; a :blast of gaS iS perm ttedato. pass upwardly through the blast; tube 2i the blast=oisgasjbeine controlled by a blast: valve 29; asshown-zmoreclearly in Fig. 2. The blasttalvefzfihasazstem 30 spring biased toward he a closed: position and opened by clockwise 120- tation of a bell crank .31, the latter being piv-v otall-y; mounted-at 32; The bell .crank Z3! is rotatedabont the pivoti32: by a cam portion 3.3 of the crank portion [0. 7 Thus, during :the opening operation, the iston tel-Bis :torced downwardly by gas pressureto the lower.- end .of. the operating cylinder I a and effects by this motion counterclockwise rotation ofithe rotatablerroperatingi means .34: of the interrupter. which-includes, the crank portion'ilfl and cam.;p0rti0ii 13.3. :The. rotation .of :the -rotata'ble. operattingxzmeansrz3l4 effects separation of the contact structure through the .operating'. rod :15; and :also efiects simultaneously .clockwise I iQihtion I of thefbellxcrank :32! :to iefiect opening of sthe-ablast valve, 2.9: The .blast :ofga-s per.- mitted toipass. upwardly-through -:the blast tube by opening :of; the-{blast valve :29 ,extlnguishes the'a c :which was established by :the separation of; ztheornovable contact 221 from the stationary ontac iIi-v r a --I?he arc ;chut e i3.5 which cooperates with the upwardly passing :gas ,blast to effect-extinction of the -arc forms no, part, of our invention and .is prefera y o th type set, forth ;:in U. 5. Patent. No, 2372,3810 1 which issued Eebruary 10, .1942, 1130 Leon- B Ludwig, ,Herbert L. :Rawlin-s-sand Ben.- jainin P. Baker, and which was assigned {120 the assieneeiofthe instant application. I

, Conduit means, 3.6 are. utilized totiansrnit: a fl oLcQmpressed gas :from the Source-of gas pressure 2 to the upper -end;-'1of "the operating cylinder iid, this diow being QQntrolled by. a. valve 31;,posit i0ned essentially within the head of the cylinder which is iextended to form the: conduit.

Thewalvesltlr simore clearly shown in Eigsp3, 4- and -6 land is @0f; the poppet ltyzpe which gives .a

large. .area3oi opening: with .only .a small move:

mentithus; admit in thezairrquieklyianu ispeede ppiftioni 474: whichmakes contacting engagement in the position oj' the parts as shown in Fig. 3

with .alevera45 the'latter being pivotally mounted .atllfir'ito alaterallyg extending portion 41 of the conduit means 3-6-5 The upper end of the lever t5 hash, pin; .43 threadedly secured thereto about whichis positioned a sleeve 49.

leve rfifl pivotally n ounted at 5| to an extension 52 of the cranka'portion ID has a hook portion 53' is biasedin a clockwise direction 19 p1 :5ljby.:3|. compressionspring 'tk Th upper end of thelcpmpression spring 54seats against a lug 55 formed integrally with the crank a The lever-A5 iswstiiongly' biased in -a counter clockwise .;direction about. itsstationar pivot 46 by astrong com ression: spring-'56: The righthand end of the compression:springv 56 as v-iewe d in Fig. 3, seats against a. laterally extending por-'- tion- 51 or the lever 45,; The lefteh'and end r the compression spring pig-seats against a portion 5 .8 'of the operating-cylindercasing. Thelever 45 is latched-in position by latching means ES -comprising a t giggerv s60 and. a "latch 61 #of the lip-ef y e he la t r being .pivotan-y mou t d at 62. The latch 6| has a nose 63 whichser-ves t ,l h h -lowenend DI the lever-A5. The trigea 69: 5. ota

tive movement of the trigger 60': to reflect release Qf the lever 45,, the latter 'beingstrongly biased in a counterclockwise directionabout the pivotdj sby the strong compression spring 56. Conse? quently, upon release of the latching means-59;

the compression s rin Becomes the'leve-r 1-4 5' :to rotate in ;a {counterclockwise direction about the pivot; 46, The counterclockwise rotative move-' ment of the lever 45 causes thev portion '6 of theliver45 toengage the daterally extending portion 4 o t ns-m hs o the -;valve- The qpening oi ther valve 13:! permits a direct' s s a s frc mp essedieas fr m :thesource ofeas pressure .2; through the-conduit :means T36 and into the upper find iflfnthe operating cylinder I 4 through: the assage .63. The; passage of gas frQm-the-tank Z-into the upper-end of theoperai ing cylinder .44; causes-mapid dqwnward move-V. fiects blasta=valve me t'go th pi tes, &5 hi opening and contact separati .he. marine v ously set forth;

' Itw l be observedthat bes ri n drcouste kwi o ation o the cran portio 1 0 causes th -ho porti n lever. in, to pick .up' thei sleeve c edg qiihe u per ndfo the l v 4'5"tothereby 'rotate'thej lever 45 .in'a clockwise direction about-the pivot 4-6 near the end of the opening stroke-to-thereby recharge "the compression spring- 56- andte-permit-relatching of the .latching means w i about hits I pivotal mounting- 64 byupward movement-of an armature 65 assoponenerg-ization of:-the winding of "the he-operatingarm A2 ztotherebyeefiect open-' 7 arm 13 attached thereto.

xFrom the above, it will be apparent that at the end of the opening stroke the lever 45 is relatched and the compression spring 56 is recharged, the parts assuming a positionas shown in Fig. 4, compression spring 43 and the air pressure causing closure of valve 31.

Anexhaust valve, indicated generally at B9, is provided to vent the closing air pressure from the cylinder I4 'below the piston sothat, in the event the circuit breaker is closed in against a fault, the closing charge of compressed air will not interfere with an immediate opening operation. The exhaust valve 69 comprises a, rotatable valve member 14 mounted in a cylinder 14a formed in an integral portion of the cylinder I4. The exhaust valve member" comprises a pair of spaced discs 8I (Fig. 7) rigidly joined by an integral member 83- which, upon rotation of the valve member, is adapted to close an exhaust port 85communicating the cylinder I4 to atmosphere. One of the discs BI is provided with a short shaft 81 which extends through an opening in' one end of the cylinder 14a. and has an A rod I0 has one end pivotally connected to the free end of the arm I3 by mean-s of a pivot pin I2 and the other end of the rod I0 is pivotally connected by means of a pivot pin II to the rotatable operator I0.

As previously set forth, the operator In is rotated counterclockwise during an opening operation. This movement, acting through the rod I0, arm 13 and shaft 81 rotates the exhaust valvemember 34 in a clockwise direction from the position in which it appears in Fig. 3. Just before the operating piston I3 passes the exhaust port, at approximately the position indicated by dotted lines I5, the valve member 83 closes off the exhaust port 85 which traps a portion of the air in the cylinder below the piston to cushion the opening movement of the breaker mechanism. At the end of the opening strokeof the piston I3, the exhaust valve member 14 assumes the position indicated in Fig, 4. Some of the opening charge of compressed air leaks to atmosphere around the piston rod I2 and the remaining air is slightly compressed during the closing stroke inthe relatively large volume of the cylinder I4 above the piston I3 and in the inlet passage 68 to cushion the closing movement of the breaker mechanism.

To. effect the closing operation of the interrupter an electropneumatically actuated valve.

IIi (Fig. 2) is energized, to thereby permit compressed gas to flow from the tank 2 through conduit I1 and through the conduit I8 to the lower end of the operating cylinder I4 below the piston I3 which is now at the lower endof its stroke. It will be noted that at the beginning of the closing operation the lever 45 has been previously relatched, the energization of the solenoid 66 only being momentarily. Thus, at the beginning of the closing stroke, the parts assume a position, as shown in Fig. 4.

The valve I6 comprises a housing 89 divided into an upper chamber 9| and a lower chamber 93. The chamber 9| communicates with the cylinder I4 below the piston I3 by means of the conduit I8 and the lower chamber 93 communicates by means of the conduit TI with the tank 2. A passage communicating the chambers 9| and 93 is normally closed by means of a valve member 95 seated against a valve seat 91 formed in the housing 89. A valve stem 99 secured to the valve member 95 extends upwardly through an air tight opening in the housing 89 and has its upper endi secured to the moving armature IOI of an electromagnet I03. In addition to the armature I 0|, the electromagnet I03 comprises an E-shaped core member I05 mounted on the housing 89 and an energizing winding I01. The armature I III is biased to unattracted position by means of a spring (not shown) which also normally biases the valve 95 to the closed position.

Energization of the electromagnet I03 operates the armature IOI to open the valve 95 and admit a charge of compressed air to the cylinder below the piston I3 to efiect closing of the circuit breaker.

.During the major portion of the closing stroke ofthe piston I3, the exhaust valve 69 remains closeda Near the end of the closing stroke, the exhaust valve 69 is opened to decrease the pressure below the piston I3. This has two advantages, namely: (1) the decrease in gas pressure below the piston I3 permits conditions to arise which are suitable for rapid reopening, (2) the decrease in gas pressure below the piston I3 caused by opening of the exhaust valve 63 near the end of the closing stroke decreases the force acting upwardly on the piston I3, thus minimizing the stress conditions imposed on the mechanism as the main breaker contacts engage.

It will be observed that during the closing operation the crank portion 10 and the rotatable operating means 34 rotate in a clockwise direction with the shaft I, thereby simultaneously effecting contact closure through the medium of the operating rod I5, and opening of the blast valve 29 by engagement of the roller I9 of the bell crank 3I with cam portion 33 of the crank portion I0. This effects clockwise rotation of the bell crank 3I about its stationary center of rotation 32 to effect consequent opening of the blast valve 29.

The provision of the exhaust valve 69 located in an intermediate portion of the main operating cylinder I4 is thus arranged to provide an open vent as the piston I3 approaches the end of the closing stroke in order to dissipate air pressure below the piston in the event of an immediate opening operation being required, as well as to lessen pressure at the final closing point to avoid excessive closing impact of the movable contact 22 against the stationary contact 23. This vent associated with the exhaust valve 69 is inoperative as the piston passes it on the opening movement, thereby conserving air in the lower portion of the operating cylinder I4 to cushion the open- 1 ing movement of the interrupter and thereby prevent excessive rebound.

It will be observed that the valve 31 which has biasing means 56 associated therewith is used to control the admission of opening air to the cylinder to efl'ect opening operation of the interrupter. It is apparent that a similar valve could be employed in conjunction with a similar biasing means 55 to effect closing motion of the interrupter. Merely for purposes of illustration have we shown the valve 31 utilized in conjunction with opening air for the operating cylinder I4.

By means of the arrangement disclosed, a single electrical impulse results in admission of air directly to the operating cylinder I4 in sufficient volume to perform the opening contact movement. When used in conjunction with a high speed protective relay, the disclosed breaker will detect and isolate an electrical fault in 0.040 second or less,

It will also be observed that the invention dis-- cioses a spring; operated valvewhich; admits fromthebreaker reservoir directly tothe opera ating; cylinder in suiiicient. volume to produce positive fast opening or: theacontacts; The valve Slis operated by a leverspring biasedto the open valve position-but" latched ill-17116 closed position: It; will furthermore. benotedthat the power developed by air pressure on the: operatingmpiston I3 is utilized to reset the valve operating lever 45; thus recharging the biasing means comprising the ccmpressionspring 56; through actiorrof the breaker-operating crank tflincpening the eon-- taGtS:

From the foregoing description, it will. be an parent that wehave provided animprovedgas blast, circuit interrupter of an. improved high speedsconstruction in which; one or more poles. otthe' interrupter may be simultaneously o'pte erated to. effect high speedmotion of the movable contacts. It will be. apparent thatrvveha-ve'prm" vided biasing means for biasingthe valve which controls thev opfirating a ir to the open position and have in addition provided latching means for restraining. the biasing" ine'ans; It-wil'l also be noted that-the'power generated by the opening movement utilizing'the air pressureis employed to' ifect recharging of the biasing means and-Tier effecting relatching of-qthe: latching: mean'sa Byuti-liaation oi thezexhaiist valvearrangement disclosed, rapid reopening-operations may-be ob;- tained, and themovablepartsof: the interrupter are; brought" to; acushioned stop near theend of the opening stroke.

' Although we? have shown'ahdictes'cribed-a spea cific structure; it is tojbe' cl'e'arlyunderstoiod that thesame was mereiy'for therpurposeioi il lustrae men and; that changes" and modifications may; read-iiyj bemade therein by those skilled in the art- Without departing from: the spiritand scopeof the appended claims.

r We claim as our invention:

1?; In a circuit interrupter, anoiieratirigcylina cler, a .piston'operable within the operating cyliir-sz der; mean-s interconnectingvthecpiston; and the interrupter; a sourc'e' of" gas underpressure-,2 a: valve. controllingthe admission of" ga fl bmth' source directly toztheaoperating cylinder; alever; means pivotal ly niountingthlever intermediatei its ends, biasing means cooperating. with: one end of said lever for biasing: the; lever-toward rota-titre movementto actuate said veivem openposition; means interconnecting: the lever and the valve means. responsiveto overload currents-i toreiiect operation oiisaid-i leverto open-said valve; andfniea'ns" for" engaging the other: end= of said" lever to recharge said biasing'm'eans:

2; In a: circuit interrupter, an" operating cylinder; a: pistoxt operable within the op'eratingcyl -z ind'er, means interconnecting the piston and? the interrupter, a; source of gas, under rpressure; valve'controi'ling theadmission of gas: from the source to the operatingrc'ylinder, means; biasing;

said-valve to closed-position, a-l'ever, me'ansupivkz otaily mountin'gthetlever intermediate its ends; biasingnm'eans engaging one endof' sai'd lever-3 for biasing the lever:toward'.rotative"mdvement,. latch means releasably restrainingxsaid lev'er, means interconnecting the lever and ith valve, electroresponsive means operable in response tot. overload currents to: release: said level toi'thusii eflect openingof said valve and openingimovee mentofsaidpiston; anjd me2tIiSi-O1 E)B!afi'V8'- mire-:1 spouse to opening? movement or the piston for engaging the other end of saidlever tcrecharr the biasina means.

' 3. Ina cir-cuit interrupter; .operatingzineansfior said interrupter comprising. an. operating; cylixis: der, va pistonoperable: within the ODBI'atiIIKGYIQZ inder, means'einterconn'ecting-jthe piston ancttlie interruptergpa. source of gas under pressure, a valve controllingithe admission otcompressedgas from the. source td one nd of the operating :c'ylinner toeffect openinginoveinent offs'a-id-piston; a; lever, v means; pivotallyi mounting the. lever iH-f terin-ediate its'ends; biasingrmeansengagingone end of saidrlever for biasing thelevertowardic-i: tative" movement means: interconnecting the? lever and thevalve; latchingmeans: for-restrainmotioiii-of the lever, trip meansoperable-iir response; toove'rload currents-to release saidlevei means engageable with the: other end or; said lever; and operative-in response to opening-Thieves merit Bfi'i'liGrIJjiSbOIiiiOl positively moving saidilcver to-recharge the. biasing means, and valve means operable to admit-compressed gas torthe'other toopening-v-movernentof the-piston for recharging the biasing means valve: means operable to adrnitn.

gas to the otherr-fsiderof said piston to' ife'ct' clos ins movement of: said piston; an exhaust valve? at all times iiiovable' withsaidpiston andoperab'ie tothe open position only duringthe closing.- movement of said piston to exhaust-said closing-gas to atmosphere.

57.21:; a circuit-interrupter, an operating ci lin def; a: piston'niova-blwithif-i the operating jiliIiden, means interconnecting the piston andth'e terrtipter, an exhaust valve'po'sitioned iiite'rm diate} the ends of the operating-- cylinder, means operated by said interconnecting meansfor efiecting opening of the exhaust valiie city: when the piston is near the closing endottHeZ operating cylinder-.

6. In a circuit interrupter, an operatifiQctlliira-pistorio erable within the operating-cylinrotat'a'bl'el operating the" s operable by said pistontoiopen sandclos said-interru ter, means couplingith'e piston and the rctstatie ope 'au ag nfietti'is', coupl i' g -the interrupter arid the a :ource of as under pi ess-ui e; a vaite or controlling the new off'gas f om theametene end of {iiioperating cyiin; o r to effect opening movement cream piston, j m ns for biasing: he. we to the pen pos1t1or1 latching mean for the. biasing means; a tri device operable iii respons toeverioed eurrentsto releasesaid biasingmean's; means movable with the rotatable operating means for re cha in he bias ng. mtansa e m s pera etQ:@dm i1'/;ga$ to theother end of-saidf. cylinder-to;

eifectrclcsing movement ofsaid piston-a. rotatableexhaust valve dispose'd between ther'end's of said; cylinder, and means coupling the: exhaust valve to: the rotatabliope'rating means for movement therewith? at all times} said exhaust" mo'vahl to open position dril y' near ci'osiifgstroketithe operating means.-

therefor comprising a cylinder and a piston m'ovable therein to effect opening and closing of said interrupter, a valve device for admitting compressed gas to one end of said cylinder to effect opening of said interrupter comprising an inlet valve, normally restrained biasing means for actuating said valve to open position, trip means operable to release said biasing means to effect opening of said inlet valve, a second inlet valve for admittin compressed gas to the other end of said cylinder to close said contact means, an exhaust valve disposed intermediate the ends of said cylinder, and means operable in accordance with the operation of said operating mechanism for opening said exhaust valve only near the end of the closing stroke of said piston.

8. In a circuit interrupter, operating means comprising a cylinder and a piston operable therein to effect opening and closing of said interrupter, an inlet valve for admitting compressed tions of said piston, and means operable by said operating means to eifect opening of said exhaust valve only when the piston is near the end of the closing stroke.

9. An operating mechanism for a circuit breaker comprising a cylinder and a piston movable therein to a first and a second extreme position to open and close said circuit breaker, means including a first inlet valve operable to admit fluid pressure to said cylinder for moving said piston to said first extreme position to efiect opening of said circuit breaker a second inlet valve operable to admit fluid pressure to said cylinder for moving said piston to said second extreme position to efl'ect closing of said breaker, an exhaust valve in said cylinder between said extreme positions of said piston, and means actuated by said operating mechanism for opening said exhaust valve only when said piston nears said second extreme position.

10. An operating mechanism comprising a piston and a cylinder within which said piston is movable to a first and a second extreme position, independently operable inlet valves for admitting compressed gas to opposite ends of said cylinder to effect movement of said piston to said first and said second extreme positions, an exhaust valve disposed in said cylinder at a point intermediate said extreme positions of said piston, and rotatable means interconnecting said exhaust valve and said piston to open said exhaust valve only when said piston is moved to one of said extreme positions.

11. An operating mechanism comprising a piston and a cylinder within which said piston is movable between two extreme positions, a spring operated valve for admitting fluid pressure to one end of said cylinder to effect movement of said piston to one extreme position, an electromagnetically operated valve for admitting fluid pressure to the other end of said cylinder to effect movement of said piston to a second extreme position, an exhaust passage in said cylinder between said extreme position of said piston, a

'10 rotary valve element associated with said passage, and means actuated by said operating mechanism for operating said rotary valve element to open said exhaust passage only when said piston nears a particular one of its extreme positions.

12. A circuit interrupter including operating means comprising afluid motor operable to open said interrupter, an inlet valve operable to admit compressed fluid to said motor to effect opening of said interrupter, operating means for said inlet valve including a releasable member, biasing means for operating said releasable member to open said inlet valve, holding means restraining said releasable member against movement by said biasing means, electroresponsive means operable to cause said holding means to release said releasable member, and resetting means operable by said fluid motor during an opening operation to recharge said biasin means and reset said releasable member at least by the time said interrupter reaches full open position.

13. A circuit interrupter including operating means comprising a fluid motor operable to open and close said interrupter, a first inlet valve operable to admit compressed fluid to said motor to effect closing of said interrupter, a second inlet valve operable to admit compressed fluid to said motor to eifect opening of said contact means, operating means for said second inlet valve includin a releasable member, means biasing said releasable member to open said second inlet valve, electroresponsive means operable to release said releasable member to effect opening of said second inlet valve, and resetting means operable by said motor during an opening operation to recharge said biasing means and to reset said releasable member at least by the time said interrupter reaches full open position.

14. A circuit interrupter having operating means comprising a fluid motor operable to open and close said interrupter, a first inlet valve operable to admit compressed fluid to said motor to efle-ct closing of said interrupter, a second inlet valve operable to admit compressed fluid to said motor to effect opening of said interrupter, operating means for said second inlet valve including a releasable member, means biasing said releasable member to open said second inlet valve, electroresponsive means operable to release said releasable member to efiect opening of said second inlet valve, said electroresponsive means being at times operable during a closing operation to effect openin of said second inlet valve and admission of compressed fluid to said motor to cause quick reversal of said motor and movement of said interrupter to open position irrespective of the condition of said first inlet valve, and resetting means operable by said motor during an opening operation to recharge said biasing means and reset said releasable member at least by the time said interrupter reaches full open position.

15. A circuit interrupter including operating means comprising a fluid motor operable to open said interrupter, an inlet valve of the poppet type operable to admit compressed fluid to said motor to eiTect opening of said interrupter, biasing means acting on said poppet valve in closing direction when the valve is closed, operating means for said inlet valve including a releasable member, a second biasing means for operating said releasable member to open said inlet valve, holding means restraining said releasable member against movement by said second biasing means, electroresponsive means operable to cause said zmeago 511 hgldin g means torrelease saigi ,.re1eas ab1e,membe1 and resettingmeens I Qpenableby said .fillid motor dgringen .QDBn n QDerafii n tomecharge said second biasing means a,nd, 1iese'tsaid releasable member at least by the timevsa'id vinterrupter reaches run open position.

LEONE. LUDWIG. HOWARD M. flWILCOX. ,RAYMOND, H. LEITZEL.

12 REFERENCES v0112121) The .sfollowing references are mfmecord sin sthe filerof :jthis :patent: 

